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December 17, 2015

GROUP SEEDS AND GAME DATES ANNOUNCED FOR HISTORIC 2016 COPA AMERICA CENTENARIO

Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and the United States Head the Four Groups in the Tournament; Seeded Nations to Visit Nine of the 10 Host Markets in Group Play

CHICAGO (Dec. 17, 2015) – Group seeds and game dates for the historic 2016 Copa America Centenario have been announced, per tournament organizers. The once-in-a-lifetime soccer summer event, which honors 100 years of the Copa America tournament, will feature some of the world’s best teams and players competing from June 3-26, 2016, in the United States.

As the host nation, the United States earns the Group A seed, while Argentina, as the highest FIFA-ranked nation in the Americas (per December FIFA rankings), will be seeded top of Group D.

In celebration of the rich soccer tradition in the hemisphere and as the most decorated nations in the last 100 years in international competitions from their respective confederations, the national teams of Brazil and Mexico have also been awarded group seeds, and will head Groups B and C, respectively.

The remaining 12 participating nations will be sorted into the four groups in early 2016 based on a public draw. Details of groups and procedures for the draw will be announced leading up to that event.

In announcing the seeded teams, organizers also revealed the dates of matches, including the cities each seeded nation will visit, as well as the dates they will play during the group phase of the tournament.

“On behalf of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority and Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, we are excited to host the world’s best teams in Houston during the 2016 COPA Americas”, said Janis Burke, CEO of Harris County – Houston Sports Authority. We have formed valuable relationships our local Consulates and plan on working closely with them to make sure this event boasts an incredible international feel at NRG Stadium.”

Recently, the LOC announced the 10 U.S. metropolitan areas that have been selected to host matches during the Copa America Centenario, with MetLife Stadium announced as the host of the Copa America Centenario Final on Sunday, June 26 in the New York metropolitan area. Similar to the FIFA World Cup, each venue will host matches on multiple days through the tournament. Most venues will host at least three games.

The United States will be visiting Santa Clara, Calif. (June 3) to kick-off the tournament, before visiting Chicago (June 7) and Philadelphia (June 11). Argentina will head to Santa Clara (June 6), Chicago (June 10) and Seattle (June 14). Brazil will travel to Pasadena (June 4), Orlando (June 8) and Foxborough (June 12), and Mexico will play its group matches in Phoenix (June 5), Pasadena (June 9) and Houston (June 13).

Seattle, New York/New Jersey, Foxborough and Santa Clara will all host quarterfinal matches, while Houston and Chicago will be site of the two tournament semifinals.

To be among the first to access tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime event, fans can visit CA2016.com. Due to the expected high demand for this premium soccer tournament, fans are urged to register early to guarantee access to information as it becomes available. More ticketing information will be released in the coming weeks.

Fans are invited to visit the newly launched tournament website at CA2016.com

Follow the tournament news at the event’s official Twitter account and Facebook page

The 2016 Copa America Centenario is the historic centennial edition of Copa America – the South American championship – and will be staged outside of South America for the first time. The tournament will feature six teams from CONCACAF and all 10 teams from CONMEBOL.

CONCACAF and CONMEBOL have partnered for the historic 2016 Copa America Centenario, setting a new standard for inter-confederation cooperation in the Americas and worldwide. The Copa America Centenario Local Organizing Committee, formed by tournament host U.S. Soccer, is a separate entity responsible for certain logistical and organizational details of the competition.